Remarks by Ambassador Li Song at the Concert to Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the World Anti-Fascist War, and the Founding of the United Nations

(September 5, 2025 VIC)

Distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

Good afternoon! Welcome to the Concert to Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the World Anti-Fascist War, and the Founding of the United Nations.

80 years ago, under a national united front against Japanese aggression advocated by the Communist Party of China, Chinese people fought heroically for 14 years. With the immense national sacrifice, China thoroughly defeated the Japanese militarist aggressors, marking the complete victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. It was a historic turning point for the Chinese nation emerging from the grave crises in modern times to embark on the journey toward great rejuvenation. It was also a major turning point in the course of world history.

A series of documents with international law implications—including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation—affirmed China's sovereignty over Taiwan. Taiwan's return to China stands as an integral part of the outcomes of World War II and the post-war international order.

The Chinese people won the great victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance through their united efforts with the anti-fascist Allied forces and the people around the world. We will never forget the foreign governments and international friends who supported and assisted the Chinese people in resisting aggression.

80 years ago, the international community learned profound lessons from the two world wars and jointly founded the United Nations. China played an active role in this process and was the first to sign the UN Charter. Since the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 restored the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations in 1971, China, as the representative of the Global South among the P5, has acted as a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, a defender of the international order, and a provider of public goods, contributing Chinese wisdom and strength to the progress of human civilization.

Over the past 80 years, the Communist Party of China has united and led the Chinese people to achieve the great victory of national independence and liberation, and embarked on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Chinese Modernization has achieved extraordinary development. Today, as the world's second-largest economy, China has become a major contributor and a stabilizing anchor to global economy and a key driving force for scientific and technological innovation. China's development is bringing more opportunities to all countries, and will make greater contributions to global prosperity, stability, and development.

Dear colleagues,

The 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations, is the right time for us to reflect on the past and create a better future. 80 years later, while the historical trends of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit remain unchanged, the Cold War mentality, hegemonism and protectionism continue to haunt the world. New threats and challenges have been only increasing. The world has found itself in a new period of turbulence and transformation. 80 years later, global governance has come to a new crossroads.

President Xi Jinping, with an all-round consideration of this changing world and a sense of global responsibility, has successively put forth the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, calling on all countries to work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind. Four days ago, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2025 in Tianjin, President Xi Jinping solemnly proposed the Global Governance Initiative, further contributing China's wisdom and presenting China's solution to building a more just and equitable global governance system.

First, adhering to sovereign equality. It should be maintained that all countries, regardless of size, strength and wealth, are equal participants, decision-makers and beneficiaries in global governance. Efforts should be made to promote greater democracy in international relations and increase the representation and voice of developing countries.

Second, abiding by international rule of law. The purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and other universally recognized basic norms of international relations must be observed comprehensively, fully and in their entirety. International law and rules should be applied equally and uniformly. There should be no double standards, and the house rules of a few countries must not be imposed upon others.

Third, practicing multilateralism. It is important to uphold the vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, strengthen solidarity and coordination, oppose unilateralism, firmly safeguard the status and authority of the U.N., and ensure its irreplaceable, key role in global governance.

Fourth, advocating the people-centered approach. The global governance system should be reformed and improved to ensure that the people of every nation are the actors in and beneficiaries of global governance, so as to better tackle the common challenges for mankind, better narrow the North-South gap, and better safeguard the common interests of all countries.

Fifth, focusing on taking real actions. It is important to adopt a systematic and holistic approach, coordinate global actions, fully mobilize various resources, strive for more visible outcomes, and enhance practical cooperation to prevent the governance system from lagging behind or being fragmented.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China always stands firmly on the right side of history, practicing true multilateralism, and will always be a trustworthy partner to the UN. China will keep deepening cooperation with the UN and the member states, and jointly shoulder the responsibility for safeguarding world peace and promoting development and prosperity.

Dear friends,

Great causes of humankind always embody strong and lasting passions. Today's concert is exactly about passions. During World War II, across battlefields in Asia and Europe, it was patriotism, braveness to sacrifice oneself life for the country, heroic valor and unfailing belief in victory, that supported people across the world to achieve final victory of the Anti-Fascist War. This embodies Chinese people’s great spirit of the resistance against Japanese aggression.

Today, I am delighted to introduce the Vienna Chinese Philharmonic Choir and the UN Choir Vienna, they will perform classic songs about World War II, along with songs of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom, which are the common values of all mankind and also the lofty goals of the United Nations.

Let us commemorate with all our hearts the great 80th anniversary in an artistic and historic atmosphere, and look confidently towards a brighter future for mankind.

Thank you!